Forest Dept team empowered to act against offenders
MIRI: The Forest Department team here has been empowered to act against those found selling or killing protected species of animals.
Assistant director and deputy controller of wildlife Engkamat Landing said the department’s enforcement team will go down to the ground to ensure offenders are brought to justice.
“The department has come up with a memo instructing the Miri divisional forest office and the enforcement team to act according to a report of protected species of animals being sold at the Miri Sunday market,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.
Engkamat said the Forest Department has also written to Sarawak Forestry Corporation ( SFC) to help with enforcement.
He said the Forest Department and SFC would work together to stop such illegal activities and confiscate any protected wildlife found at the market.
When contacted, SFC deputy general manager ( protected areas and biodiversity conservation) Oswald Braken Tisen said SFC’s enforcement team here has been directed to assist the Forest Department.
“Members of the public can
The department has come up with a memo instructing the Miri divisional forest office and the enforcement team to act according to a report of protected species of animals being sold at the Miri Sunday market. Engkamat Landing, Forest Department assistant director and deputy controller of wildlife
lodge a report with the Forest Department or SFC if they find anyone selling protected species of animals,” he said.
On Oct 17, The Borneo Post had reported that protected species of wildlife were being sold at the Miri Sunday market.
Visitors found two barbecued civet cats, chopped up parts of an anteater, live baby monkeys priced at RM300 each, and river tortoises or labi- labi all being sold openly.
Meanwhile, a check here found protected species of animals were also being sold at the Lutong Sunday tamu.